Environment and Ecology: A topic not to be left out.

Hello Junta,

The most important step for preparation of any entrance exam is to go through the syllabus and have a good idea about the different topics. So, try to go through the syllabus of HSEE exam much before you start any serious preparation. So let me give a brief insight about this topic which can sometimes play a decisive role in your final selection to this program.

Environment and Ecology.

All of us have read this subject when we were in school but most of us took it very lightly since it was a very straightforward subject. But when it comes to HSEE exam, it is one of the most important topic as along with the MCQs you may better be prepared for a double treat as for the last 5 years there has been at least one essay question based on Environment and Ecology which may repeat this time as well.

Preparation

The important things to keep in mind while doing this section are -

1. Make concise notes about different definitions and terminologies with a brief description. (Particularly Ecology part requires some understanding about Ecosystem and its elements).

2. Mug up all the important International Treaties related to environment. (Many questions related to International Treaties has been asked in previous years). Also don't forget to mug up different Acts and Laws related to Environment and Pollution in India.

3.  Understand the usage of Renewable Resources. Make notes about differences between different renewable resources and its future usage.

4. Try to memorize the various chemical names of different pollutants. This will be a new learning experience for Non-Science background students. So spend more time to mug up all these chemical names.

5. Read and have some basic knowledge about the various forms of pollution- their causes and effects.

6. Last but not the least, you may get an essay question from  Environment and Ecology section as has been the case for the last 5 years. Therefore, make sure that you have good knowledge about global warming and also about last year's Paris Climate Conference and its decisions.

Recommended Readings (Though Not Compulsory)

1. Refer to ISC Biology textbook for advanced reading. It has got a very crisp coverage of the Ecology section, usually as an appendix. You can also make use of NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Textbook Chapter 14 which may come handy. 

2. I have collected some readings from my classmate and I am sharing the link of the Google drive below. So download all the files and start reading.

Click here to download all the readings.

https://goo.gl/eZgkxW

Exam Tips

Apparently Environment and Ecology is the last topic in the MCQs section. Therefore many students end up attempting the MCQs in a hurry. Since it is a topic which takes very less time as it is entirely dependent on knowing or not knowing. Therefore, it is better to attempt such questions in the beginning. At first, attempt all those questions which you know and leave those questions which you are not sure of. You can attempt all questions towards the end if there is no negative marking. A mastery of this section can improve your chances as other students usually take this section lightly. You can expect some strange questions which can be really difficult. Don't panic in case you are not able to tackle some of them. You can compensate in any other sections or in the essay writing , which ultimately has a major part in your selection.

ALL THE BEST!!   LOOKING FORWARD TO MEET YOU ALL HERE !!